Crowned dens syndrome
Crowned dens syndrome is an acute calcific periarthritis that can cause acute neck pain due to calcifications surrounding the odontoid process.
These calcifications are most often due to CPP crystals but can occur with BCP crystals as well. The clinical picture varies widely from asymptomatic to severe pain with fever and elevated inflammatory markers.
This condition occurs most commonly in the elderly and can present with fever and associated neurologic symptoms including headache and confusion.
Calcifications are seen best on an open-mouth view of the odontoid process or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the area (more sensitive than radiograph).
The characteristic pattern on CT is that of calcification surrounding the top and sides of the dens with a horseshoe or “crown” like appearance. is an acute calcific periarthritis that can cause acute neck pain due to calcifications surrounding the odontoid process.
These calcifications are most often due to CPP crystals but can occur with BCP crystals as well. The clinical picture varies widely from asymptomatic to severe pain with fever and elevated inflammatory markers.
This condition occurs most commonly in the elderly and can present with fever and associated neurologic symptoms including headache and confusion.
Calcifications are seen best on an open-mouth view of the odontoid process or a computed tomography (CT) scan of the area (more sensitive than radiograph).
The characteristic pattern on CT is that of calcification surrounding the top and sides of the dens with a horseshoe or “crown” like appearance.
